Disney debacle settled

PEABODY-The School Committee has voted on a repayment solution for the victims of the 2005 Disney field trip scam, after hearing the testimonies of nearly 16 families over the last month.The amount to be repaid was originally $10,600, a total reached in a settlement by police this past July. However, while conducting interviews with those involved in the incident, the subcommittee, organized by Mayor Michael Bonfanti to deal specifically with this complicated matter, discovered that an additional $6,228 was left over in the Peabody Instrumental Music Association?s account, money that rightfully belonged to students.The School Committee recommended that the leftover fundraising money be combined with the original settlement amount, totaling $16,828 to then be dispersed to the eligible recipients.?We?ve put a lot of thought into this,” said Superintendent Milton Burnett, who was part of the special subcommittee.The repayment stems from the 2005 incident involving Stephen Baberadt Jr., who was the Peabody Veterans Memorial High School band director at the time. Baberadt allegedly overcharged students for the field trip to Disney World and used fundraiser money to bring his family members along for free. Furious parents claimed that Baberadt owed students $530 each, after charging $800 for a trip that should have cost them only $270.There were 35 students who went on the field trip, but Burnett said that there is reason to believe that not all students are eligible for repayment. Some students went on full scholarship and didn?t participate in the fundraising efforts. If that?s the case, the money will then be divided among the remaining students. As of now, students are expected to receive approximately $480.Burnett said the department did run into some cases where parents and families didn?t want to receive any sort of repayment.?We did definitely have some parents saying, ?You don?t owe us anything,?” said Burnett. “Some thought it should be turned over to current students account. Some thought they were definitely owed money.”But, the Committee has covered just about any scenario that may arise.Letters, that have yet to be composed, will be sent out to eligible students within the next two weeks, said Burnett. Enclosed in the letter will be a form, similar to that of a class action claim, which informs that person of their opportunity to claim their share of the amount. Money from those who don?t wish to claim, or don?t claim by the January 15, 2008 deadline, will be deposited back into the current Peabody Veterans Memorial High School Band Student Activity Account.Keep in mind, the amount to be paid back to the students relies on the willingness of the Peabody Instrumental Music Association to deposit the remaining funds and allowing it to be divvied up between the band members of 2005.?If they don?t, well, we?ll cross that bridge when it happens,” said Burnett. “I?d expect that they?d want to return money to students.”